Laughter is the best medicine, and it can now be prescribed at The American Comedy Co. on Sixth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter.

People looking for a quick laugh could potentially find it elsewhere rather than purchase tickets for a live show, but owners Justin Charles and Rebekah Hollister believe that a live performance is just better.

“You always remember the shows you actually go to,” Rebekah said. “That’s something really important to us … promoting the intimacy and uniqueness that each show experience is.”

The husband-and-wife team lives in San Diego and chose to open a new club (with a restaurant) in the Gaslamp because “it’s a great location, and there’s nothing like it (there),” Justin said.

“Downtown needs another option for entertainment,” Rebekah said. “And I think we are meeting that end.”

For the Hollisters, opening a comedy club is a natural fit. Justin ran an improv comedy club for six years in San Jose and was able to build relationships with many comics through years of experience and networking.

“For me personally,” Justin said, “working with comedians is the better part of the job.”

One of those comedians is Poway’s own Bobby Lee, who will be the opening act when the club opens tonight. Lee has appeared in films (“Pineapple Express,” “Kickin’ It Old School” and others) and on television (“MADtv,” “Last Comic Standing” and “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” to name a few).

For Lee, there is nothing more important than laughter: “People need laughter. … Laughter is needed around the world.”

Comedian Taylor Williamson of Del Mar is also in the club’s lineup. Williamson, the youngest comedian to appear on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” and a semifinalist on “Last Comic Standing,” believes live performances are more exciting than watching a filmed show.

“It’s like saying, ‘Want to go watch a movie on Netflix or go to the set?’ (Stand-up comedy) is an art,” he explained. “You get to see live performers doing their work.”

After a show, a previously depressed member of the audience came up to Williamson and thanked him for making him smile.